South Africa

Tzaneen - A rural cooperative is expecting to cash in on the Marula Festival in Limpopo this year, by supplying the marula beer.

Pretoria - The Presidency says it has noted media speculation about the hospital at which former President Nelson Mandela is receiving medical attention.

Pretoria - Public Service and Administration Minister Roy Padayachie is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Focal Point Select Committee meeting, which kicked off on Friday.

Pretoria - The South African government has reiterated a call by the government of the Maldives for people to remain calm and support government efforts to stabilise the situation following demonstrations and random acts of violence.

Pretoria - At least 96.05% of the 3998 parliamentary questions asked to Cabinet Ministers in 2012 have so far been answered within the stipulated time frame.

Pretoria - Cabinet has expressed serious concern on the reported high-level cases of crime and police officers involved in various criminal activities.

East London - This weekend over a hundred Eastern Cape pupils will take over the province's legislature to participate in an inter-school debate competition.

Pretoria - Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Mondli Gungubele says the municipality has set aside R23 000 to fix the gravestone of the late secretary-general of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and anti-apartheid activist, Chris Hani.

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is to undertake working visits to Germany and Finland next week to advance political relations with the two countries.

East London - It's all systems go for the construction of a multi-million rand Chinese vehicle manufacturing plant in the Eastern Cape.

Cape Town - Cabinet is to consider amendments to the Labour Relations Act in the coming months and is pursuing several measures to ensure more jobs are created, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told MPs on Wednesday.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says the local government sphere has a vital role to play in the implementation of South Africa's foreign policy.

Pretoria - An extensive audit of disciplinary processes within SAPS has been completed, saysPolice Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

Pretoria - South African banks are sound and well capitalised, the Reserve Bank has said in response to Moody's downgrading of five banks.

Pretoria - The late Minister of Public Service and Administration, Roy Padayachie, will receive an Official Funeral Category 1, the Presidency has announced.